The Real Threat to Europe's Jews

European Jewry is slowly but surely disappearing before our eyes, melting away through a combination of ignorance, assimilation and intermarriage.

The Jews of Europe are once again in grave danger, but the real threat to their future is not quite what you might think.

While the wave of anti-Semitism sweeping the continent is indeed disturbing, there is a far more destructive force at work these days, one that places the continued existence of European Jewry in doubt.

It is the ailment of assimilation and the malady of intermarriage which are truly wreaking havoc in Jewish communities across Europe. And though they may not receive as much attention as an assault on a rabbi in the streets of Paris or the desecration of a cemetery outside Berlin, the blows which they strike are nevertheless more lasting and more painful, as well as more difficult to repair.

The fact of the matter is that with only a few exceptions, the Jewish communities of Europe are gradually shrinking in size, contracting quantitatively as a result of declining birthrates, aging populations and increasing numbers of young people who marry out of the fold.

According to demographer Prof. Sergio Della Pergola of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, there were slightly more than 1 million Jews living in Western Europe at the start of 2002. Of these, nearly 80 percent could be found in France and the United Kingdom, home to Europe's largest and strongest Jewish populations.

Instead of worrying so much about educating Europeans to like their Jews, we need to start educating their Jews to better appreciate their Judaism.

Yet, despite a wealth of Jewish communal institutions and a plethora of Jewish organizations, both French and British Jewry have been steadily in decline.

A December 2002 study by the Jewish Agency's Institute for Jewish People Policy Planning found that the number of Jews in France fell from 535,000 in 1980 to some 500,000 in just two decades, a loss of over 6 percent.

British Jewry fared even worse. According to the Board of Deputies, the representative body for Jews in the UK, there were 430,000 Jews living in Great Britain in 1950, but just 283,000 in 1996. Or, as an item on their web site puts it, "Since the 1950s there has been a steady decrease in numbers so that by the 1990s British Jewry was approximately one-third smaller than it had been in 1950."

If anything, these trends are only likely to accelerate, as the negative factors behind the demographic crisis continue to consolidate. Indeed, in both England and France, the annual number of deaths in the Jewish community already exceeds the number of births.

It is therefore hardly surprising that in a lengthy article appearing in the 2002 edition of the American Jewish Year Book, Della Pergola estimated that, "French Jewry will experience a slow but steady decline from 520,000 in 2000, to 480,000 in 2020, to 380,000 in 2050, and 300,000 in 2080." Meanwhile, across the Channel, he wrote, "The Jewish population in the United Kingdom will decline to 240,000 in 2020, 180,000 in 2050, and 140,000 in 2080."

In effect, this means that within just 75 years or so, French and English Jewry will only be half their current size.

In smaller Jewish communities in Europe, the retrenchment rates have been even more pronounced.

Take, for example, Ireland, where the 1991 census found there to be 1,581 Jews. Today, the number is said to be approximately 1,000, marking a decline of over 50 percent in just a decade.

Soaring intermarriage rates have taken a toll as well, in some cases reaching as high as 80 percent or more, raising further questions about the viability of some European Jewish communities.

And even in countries where the numbers have remained fairly stable, such as Spain or Italy, or which have experienced growth, such as Germany, it is primarily due to an influx of immigrants from the former Soviet states, and not because of any inherent vitality within the local community itself.

This disastrous situation should be raising alarm bells throughout the Jewish world. European Jewry is slowly but surely disappearing before our eyes, melting away through a combination of ignorance, assimilation and intermarriage.

Inexplicably, though, Israel and American Jewish leaders prefer to focus on combating anti-Semitism, rather than Jewish ignorance, even as its victims are increasingly facing religious and ethnic extinction.

The result, of course, is catastrophic, as attention and resources are shifted to fighting a question of bigotry, rather than of survival. Soon enough, there may not be any Jews in Europe left to hate.

Now don't get me wrong -- I am not trying to downplay the severity of European anti-Semitism. But when compared to the threat posed by assimilation, should it really be placed at the top of the agenda?

Instead of worrying so much about educating Europeans to like their Jews, we need to start educating their Jews to better appreciate their Judaism.

There is so much that can and should be done in this regard, from sending more rabbis to serve European Jewish communities to translating more material on Judaism into the various European languages. But all this takes funds and energy and commitment, and there is a limited amount of these to go around.

Only by acknowledging the extent of the problem, and deciding to act, can world Jewry and Israel possibly salvage the situation. The first step in doing so is to recognize that as crucial as it might be to fight Europe's anti-Semites, it pales in comparison with engaging its Jews.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

The writer served as deputy communications director in the Prime Minister’s Office under former premier Binyamin Netanyahu. He is the founder and Chairman of Shavei Israel (www.shavei.org), a Jerusalem-based group that facilitates the return of the Bnei Menashe and other “lost Jews” to the Jewish people.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 26

(26)
John Vermeer,
May 12, 2014 5:40 AM

Europe Doesn't Deserve Any Jews

Though beautiful and cultured, Europe is a barbaric place undeserving of the gifts Jews have brought it. When I've seen the memorials throughout Europe to the many murdered Jews, it sickens me, it is up to every Jew to relocate either to Israel or to the United States where there's a semblance of safety to practice Judaism.

(25)
Mascatu,
February 9, 2009 4:17 AM

Marcel,You're right.It is very difficult to be a jew this days.I m a christian and I know what your people had suffered through ages.Indeed,europeans are still haveing the same opinion about jews like 60 years ago.As you said islamism is growin very fast in Europe.Is like a course to us.Watching the news dayly I started to fell unsafe knowing so much muslims in my country and across Europe.In my country the coroption is at a very high level and the last government protected and ommited to watch over islamic danger.I traveled across Europe and saw many muslims in high social positions and I understood the end is nearby... So all I can do is to pray. God bless jews and all of us.

(24)
Eli,
August 5, 2008 1:00 AM

Jews must leave Europe as soon as possible. Help them with that. Dont curse, dont fight, just leave. It will bring chaos, collapse of Europe! The best Revenge for our Nation that was so much under danger and pressure. Dumb Europeans with stupid ideological principles. Europeans? What? They are still the same dumbs, living in illusion. Europeans.

(23)
David,
July 12, 2008 8:08 PM

Marcel, thank you for the interesting comments, I agree fully. There is a certain irony and stupidity to Europe not wanting Jews, but being all too eager to bring in Muslims en masse.

(22)
Marcel,
May 9, 2007 7:29 AM

Europe: From Judeo-Christian to Islamic-Christian society

To understand the problem of European jewry, one has to understand the circomstances of European life and the changes they've been subjected to since world war 2.

After world war 2, a large percentage of European jewry emigrated to Palestine, or rather the soon to be Israel established in 1947, and the United States, leaving shattered and devastated jewish communities behind. European jewry before the war was usually poor, because it had been kept artificially poor throughout history until at least 30 years before world war 2 started, for example by denying jew higher-paid jobs by law. After the war, Europe saw itself with a large gap. The jews, basically the lower working class of society, had either massively been exterminated or emigrated. In 1947 Europe's nations started 'importing' the first muslims to work in the lower-class sectors to fill the shortage. This import of muslim workers grew to large quantities and continued heavily until in the late 70's, the process of muslim immigration slowed down. These people were brought here to work, but they were not integrated into the countries' national cultures. Here and there small and cheap mosques popped up, but the muslim communities were basically isolated and ignored, and they usually centered themselves in large muslim sections in the larger cities. Halfway through the 80's, Europe's leaders acknowledged this problem and started a sudden and rapid integration process, which only truely took of halfway through the 90's. In those 15 years time, Islam has become very prominent in Europe, and it has a reason. During the approximately 40 years that it was basically ignored and discriminated, it took the natural opportunity to grow and grow in silence. Not just in numbers, but also in pride of ancestry. All of a sudden, muslims were allowed a voice, and logically, they took the chance. Only now, did the magnitude of European Islam show itself. Mosques were raised all over Europe in truely great numbers, natives to Europe had to integrate and learn about Islam, Islamic schools were founded, etc. Islam nowadays is growing closer and closer to being as widely represented as Christianity is. In my town alone there are 5 major mosques near the town center, and those are only the ones I've run into by chance. Of course, this sudden acceptance of all religions and people is a good thing in itself.

But, and here is the key to a great problem; it has become a very hostile environment for jews. I take of my star of david ring at work. Why? An example; I recently read in the papers how a man was beaten nearly to death by a group of young maroccans in my nation's capital. Why? He was wearing a kippah. I don't go through a week without hearing anti-semitic remarks and jokes. Not whispered, but said aloud. Not said to a friend, but publically, at work, while sporting, anywhere. Things that would get you hospitalized if said about a muslim, are said about jews without a single brow raised in the crowd. Almost done working and everyone's beat? "Come on people, 'arbeit macht frei'. Someone broke into your car? 'They're jews man, they're f*cking jews'. You have to clean up your mess after camp? 'I don't wanna do this, this is jew work'.

The list is endless, and that's only stuff said in your presence. The entire atmosphere in Europe feels threatening. I'm afraid to publically come out for my jewish heritage in Europe in fear of being cast aside. In 1971 there were 54.000 muslims in Europe. Now, there are over a million, and their influence is great. National pride in people living in foreign nations is often magnified. It is so in these muslim communities.

I have muslim friends. These friends view every human being as equal. But even they acknowledge that they would not want to be a jew in Europe today.

I, as a child of murdered and fled forefathers, feel left behind and alone in my country. On my continent. I would like to leave, for no small jewish community could bring me the illusion of safety that I would need to live freely in Europe. I've considered America. Maybe one day, I'll take the leap.

Europe is losing its judeo-christian identity. It is trying to box up against America by growing more and more into a multi-cultural environment. But the difference is that the largest racial groups in America, descended from Europeans and Africans. Muslims are taking the role of the latter in Europe, even in pop-culture. But those American groups, despite their historical division and problems, have gone through their national history together. One can not expect muslims to care about the history of Europe's nations. Europe's nations however, do nothing to safeguard it, but focus on the expansion of multicultural life in Europe. Islam is the second-largest religion in Europe now, while 60 years ago, it wasn't even present, and until 15 years ago, not even ackowledged. It's a cultural timebomb, and I don't think I want to be here when it goes off.

European jewry doesn't stand a chance in Europe. It'll decline until it's gone. I don't even know anyone in person, who is jewish. The ones I knew, I knew in my young childhood, and they emigrated to Israel.

Europe has abandoned its jewish communities. It ignored the jews that survived world war 2. Didn't bother to rebuild synagoges after they had all been destroyed by the nazi's, refused to return stolen property and basically left them out in the cold. The nations of Europe didn't want the jews, not before the war, not after the war.

And now Europe's jewish communities should fight for their existence in Europe? I say leave Europe to bury itself through its own cultural boobytraps, and collectively move the communities to nations less hostile. Europe's jewry will find more and more hostility as time moves on. Neither the native nor the immigrant communities of Europe even regard the jews as a community anymore. Openly anti-semitic remarks are not met with any anger what so ever. They are met with laughs. Even in the presence of a jew. The situation resembles a period of time that should have been a warning. If I have my children in Europe, for the sake of their future, it will not be with a jew.

The problem is not intermarriage; it is the environment that forces it upon us, to safeguard our children from a future that is becoming more and more realistic every day.

(21)
Chris van Schaardenburgh,
August 22, 2006 12:00 AM

The statement 'Europe's Anti-Semites' needs explaining!

Dear Sir,I cam across this article on some google research.Interesting no doubt. I often read about 'anti-Semitism' in Europe. Most people will assume that this comes from the native populaton in Europe. No doubt some comes from native groups, but the vast majority comes from muslim immigrants.I it still anti-Semitism in Europe, and still a big problem, but it comes mostly from muslims.The EU conducted a survey on anti-Semitism in Europe a few years ago and concluded that most attacks came from muslim goups. It therefore decided not to publish the report, to avoid problems.And this is exaclty where the problem is in Europe. The EU is afraid that the muslim population will explode (it wil eventually) and is trying to give-in to the muslim groups. Slowely but surely the muslims in Europe are changing there foreign policy towards Israel (France being a clear example) and its position towards Jewism, because it is afraid of islam.This is not a reacion to your article,but I think this is a growing problem, that will change jewish life in Europe.Regards,Chris SchaardenAmsterdam, the Netherlands

(20)
Kaitlyn,
November 14, 2005 12:00 AM

?

I like your info it got me an A on my report! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

(19)
bill,
June 28, 2005 12:00 AM

Nothing narrow-minded about self preservation

Richard, who commented on 5/29/2004, unfortunately exemplifies and embodies the threat posed by assimilation. Modern ideologies of "multiculturalism" and "diversity" stress differences among groups but also proclaim that all ideas, cultures, etc. are equal, the next (unstated) step being that they are also therefor interchangeable (yet in the same breath they criticize wanting to preserve any difference). From here comes the drivel that genes get passed on so there's no problem.

Judaism is not just about genes, so the fact that an inter-married Jew would pass on his genes to the next generation is almost irrelevant. Judaism is God's covenant and adherence to it- recognizing that Jews are unique among Earth's peoples as a result. This sense of being different has permitted the Jews to survive over 5000 years as a recognizable group. Those who strayed or assimilated vanished. Just as we cannot talk about today's Hittites, Babylonians, or today's kingdoms of Ur and Kush because they no longer exist as a usable concept, neither can we talk of today's Samaritans or today's ten lost tribes of Israel for the same reason. While it may be "narrow minded" by today's everything-goes dogma to want to preserve ones group as it has been, it is the right of any group to do so.

Regarding the situation in America, while it is true that the absolute number of Jews is shrinking, the number of Orthodox is growing, now accouting for 20% of America's Jewry. The Orthodox not only maintain the faith by marrying other Orthodox, but they also ensure it will continue by having more children on average. Not long from now, the Orthodox will be the only Jews in America, and perhaps, a thousand years hence, Rabbis and scholars will refer to a group know as the Reform who, like the Samaritans and the 10 tribes, was lost to history.

Survival, the ultimate goal, is a legitimate desire.

(18)
Anonymous,
April 8, 2005 12:00 AM

Michael Freund hit the nail right on the head! As bad as antisemitism is, it is not a threat to the viability of Jews in Europe. Their own ignorance, and lack of concern for their heritage is. Were it not for the strength of orthodoxy in America, the same would be happening there. And even in America, while the number of religious Jews increases, the sum total of Jews in America declines due to the same reasons it is declining in Europe, with possible exception of age. That is, secular Jews in America are not particularly old, but they do marry non-Jews, and they don't care about their heritage. If all that I have written so far is fairly obvious (and I think it is), then please allow me to be controversial and ruffle a few feathers. The same thing was happening in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. It is well-known that German Jewry was rapidly assimilating itself out of existence; the same was true in France and England. The only reason there are still Jews in France at all is because of the tremendous movement of North African Jewry after the Holocaust. Even Polish Jewry (!) was starting on its way to self-destruction in the 1920s and 1930s. I don't mean to say that without the Holocaust, European Jewry would have disintegrated anyway (No one can say that!) But what I am saying is that the plight so excellently described in Michael Freund's article is happening in the US, as well, and in Europe started well before the Holocaust.

(17)
Richard,
May 29, 2004 12:00 AM

Article Suggestion Seems Narrow-Minded

If Judaism vanishes from Europe because of intermarriage, so what? Are you saying that it is not racist, or at the very least narrow-minded to suggest one only marry one's own kind (be that racial, religous etc.)? If Europeans decided to emphasize their own heritage as being a guideline for marriage, there would be outrage throughout the world. If a couple, one gentile and one Jewish, choose to marry one another, there is nothing wrong with that, nor should there be. One cannot compare this to the holocaust because genes are still passed down to later generations. There is no murder, no sterilization, no hate crime in intermarriage. To want to live in an equal society but participate in it with a eugenically bias mind-state is hypocritical and should, if nothing else, be discouraged.

(16)
Alex,
March 23, 2004 12:00 AM

What is europe

When You scribe about the situation in jewish communities in Europe, do not forget, that one of the largest Jewish community is in Russia, Moscow has one of the largest jewish populations and amount of synagoges of large cities in Europe, and for a long term it is not to expect a large aliyah from there, there is rather a movement in a back direction.
I think, it is on time to realize, that russian jewery has equal rights to be called european jewery, as the ones in France and UK

(15)
sherly marcov,
March 13, 2004 12:00 AM

????????????????

Do you advise us all to leave Europe? I personally would like to understand why this is happening & specially repeating itself time after time....we know what others are doing or not doing to us but do we really take time to see what we are doing to ourselves & also sometimes from once in a while doing to others;we definetly must confront the world but we must also be humble & brave & try to integrate & or identify our shadow;until when please tell me are we going to pass forward as an inheritance to our chidren the problem of anti-semitism? the solution is not assimilation,or mixed marriages but we must not be proud either of feeling hated.......this is certainly not what we have been chosen for!!!!! so what is it that we are not doing & that Hashem is expecting from us?????????

(14)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2004 12:00 AM

US too

What about the US. Same proble, same lack of solutions.

(13)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2004 12:00 AM

Are we a race,religion.nation or culture.

Dear Sirs,having a daughter married to an Israeli & living in Israel plus a son living in Australia with a christian partner.We as parents have no say with our children when it comes to affairs of the heart & if we say something of criticism we are then accused of interfering in their lives.
jeffrey nathan.

(12)
ROBERT KELLERMAN,
March 11, 2004 12:00 AM

What did G-d say to Moses

To go out into the world and tell the people of the singular G-D.

We as a people have failed in this so why are we falling apart we, lost our way and have not followed what we should be doing telling the pagan world about a sigular G-D. Our deeds our ways our wisdom and one G-D is our Strength but we are to scared to open are mouths to the pagan world. Fear not G-D but speak to all people some will hear others will shunn you. Power in your Faith in one G-D is the real way to save us. Go out to the corners of the world and be proud of our G-D and speak of the one G-d.

(11)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2004 12:00 AM

Hear Hear

Thanks for a great article that really touches the core of anti-semitism.When we as Jews will appreciate and commit ourselves to Judaism in unity and with brotherly love we could achieve a tremendous strengthening of Jewish ties. Yes, much more should be done with regard to sending professional Rabbis in the field of Kiruv to European Countries. In many cases it is not necessarily the lack of funding
but the lack of professionals wanting
to come and "help out" in Europe, so going to live in Israel does nothing to solve the problem, as those Jews on the fringes will have a better "excuse" to marry out and leave the fold.
Rabbi's and professionals we in Europe will welcome you with open arms........

(10)
Anonymous,
March 10, 2004 12:00 AM

Must stop being ashamed

It is time to stop viewing Judaism as a burden or a curse and to finally, for the first time in millenia, encourage and welcome converts. We have "particularized" ourselves into a state of absolutism and this is not healthy for the continuity of our beliefs in one G-d. Without extremes on each end, there cannot be a firm and strong middle ground.

(9)
Avrohom Bruck,
March 10, 2004 12:00 AM

Shouldn't be there/here anyway!

we have no business in Europe any more! all Jews in Europe should move to Eretz Yisroel

and even though America is the last bastion of civilization in the world, it will not be for long; we are just about finished here to

IT'S TIME FOR US ALL TO GO HOME!

There
s no place like home ...

(8)
Anonymous,
March 10, 2004 12:00 AM

I agree, assimilation and intermarriage are the biggest threats to Jewish survival. The only medicine to this is an increase in keruv (outreach) work in general. In particular, some kind of an agency should be created, whose primary job would be to look for individuals who are dating or about to get married outside of Judaism. The agency should send Rabbis to those individuals to convince them otherwise. Also, those individuals should be introduced to Jewish shiduhim (dating) services, and should be helped in finding their Jewish soul mate as much as possible.

For this you need funding. To get funding you need to raise the level of awareness of the issue, but somehow Jewish communities throughout the world try to overlook it.

I don't think that mass conversion to Judaism, as one of the responses suggested, is the answer to this problem. We are not a missionary religion, and don't want to have insincere converts.

Also, I think, the situation in USA and Canada is not significantly better than the one in Europe. I don't know the statistics, but it seems to me that the intermarriage rate is sky rocketing. Awareness of this fact should also be raised while it is not too late.

Let's hope, that with G-d's help the situation will improve. When it is so bad, only He can, and He will help.

(7)
Michal,
March 9, 2004 12:00 AM

You are absolutely right

We live in Europe. We felt quite well here. But 1 1/2 year ago we came into contact with aish-ha-Torah and our eyes were opened and we changed our wayes. That means we started as good as we could to live an observant Jewish life. Although it filled our own lives with happiness, we lost Jewish friends. In the nearest community, I think, they have the feeling we are not normal any more. We are crazy, we exaggerate. In the meanwhile they even dont send us an invitation when there is a Jewish Holiday.
Its only lack of money that we are not yet home in Israel.
But with G-ds help we will be one day.
It is hopeful reading the truth about which nobody speaks.
Thank you! Shalom u'vracha! Michal

(6)
michael,
March 9, 2004 12:00 AM

Boader education program?

Judaism seems closed. I can understand why. I do think you need to have introductory information materials explaining what Judaism is to the wider public. Not like Christians with their missionaries and evangelism but explaining in a Juadiasm 101 for everyone.

A condensed version of Judaism for dummies- which helped open my eyes up in a nice basic way a non-jewsih person can understand.

Believe it or not I think this would actually entice those that are Jewsih and hiding (cause that's all they are really doing!) to feel ok to stand out and fill in the rest for people. The general public around will start asking question or looking for more info about Judaic stuff and anyone who is Jewish will feel proud to stand out and help them - whereas for far too long it has been the other way. And rather than Israelites/Jewish people retreating within themselves it is important they come out and share this invaluable knowledge with the rest of the world.

Becuase the world really does need help. and this circular motion will help bring these hidden Jewish people out and the rest of the world to entice them out and share more knowledge.

On a side note.. honestly I am frustrated that such simple, brilliant, awesome knowledge that Judaism has is'nt used by more people in every corner of the world.

(5)
Anonymous,
March 9, 2004 12:00 AM

Jews in Czech

Wondering if tere are,or were,Jewish quarters or even cemetaries in the city of Praha,Czech republic.

Also like to know the percentage of Jews in the population of Praha and the country itself. Thank you.

(4)
Allan Jacobson,
March 8, 2004 12:00 AM

The threat to World Jewry is ignorance.

Ignorance is the forerunner to assimilation and intermarriage. Reform and Conservative Jews are on the superhighway to both assimilation and intermarriage. The observation of 2nd, 3rd and fourth generation Reform and Conervative Jewish families certainly confirms the fact that propensity to intermarry increases with the decrease in traditional Orthodox observance of our faith.
Reform Jews, for the most part, do not know or understand The Thirteen Principles of Faith. What bond keeps them tied to their faith? Nothing but the weakend traditions of their parents, eating matzah at Passover and perhaps a fast on Rosh Hashannah.

I have more comments if you want them.

(3)
R. Shlesinger,
March 8, 2004 12:00 AM

They don't wont education

As a teacher of religion in German communities I made the experience, that neither the community bord nor the parents of the next generation jews of europe want a committed and well trained teacher nor such a rabbi. They just don't care and what ever you send them, they will not become religios, committed jews! This only creates jobs for unemployed israelis! The problem of european intermerriage is to complex to discuss it in such a short response, but is has a lot do whith the culture of romance - which is not jewish. Maybe it would be a good task for aish to focus not only on the values of a jewish marriage but also on the "how jews married throuout the ages" ?!

(2)
Ann,
March 7, 2004 12:00 AM

135 fewer Jews a day in the world

When I read a few days ago in another article that the world is losing 500,000 Jews per year, as a non-Jew I was alarmed and saddened. It's true it's partly for selfish reasons, as a non-Jew I don't want to lose our magnificent Jewish communities that have enriched our Eurpopean cultures in every way, whether it's by assimilation or even if many of them emigrate to Israel. And Mr. Freund is right, anti-semitism is Europe is indeed a problem and one of the best ways to fight it is by helping young Jews appreciate their religion and culture like never before. But what to do? I scold my Jewish colleagues for not giving their children a better Jewish education, but I think it's time that all religious leaders and yes, the government, voice their concerns and their encouragements for the Jews (and why not Gentiles as well?)to start celebrating all the wonders that is Judasim and its precious people.

(1)
Dr. Alex Pister,
March 7, 2004 12:00 AM

Need to focus on this critical issue

It's critically important to focus on this issue. Both here in North America and globally Jewish ignorance and assimilation is rampant. It's especially important to note the misdirected energy being spent on every cause except the most crucial of causes: Jewish Education at all levels. And make no mistake about it we are all subject to the threat of assimilation. Our Rabbis have made clear through their injunction: "Talmud Torah K'neged Kulam". The study of the Al-Mighty's Torah is equivalent to all the other mitzvahs in the Torah. Why? Because when one truly studies the Torah she/he will be lead to observe all the other mitzvahs. It's similar to participating in any activity that requires reading the instruction book. Many of us in the "plug and play generation" are too impatient and don't want to make the effort to learn the details. So we make up our own rules. So we make up our own version of Judaism. The moment the element of divine authorship becomes eliminated the Torah becomes buttressed only by one's own perceptions. At that point all "bets" are off. Anything goes. The core issues are: 1-does the Al-Mighty exist? 2-did the Jewish People receive the Torah at Mount Sinai? and 3-Do we have an un-interrupted, authentic transmission of that Torah in our possession today? If we can know the answers to these questions we can make educated decisions about the legitimacy of Judaism. If one knows the answers to these 3 questions she/he must make every possible effort to share the information with other Jews. Of Primary importance is the mishnaic injunction of: L'lmod al minas L'lamaid. Learn the Torah on the condition of sharing what you learn. To those who feel incapable of sharing there is the simplest of answers: Support those who do both financially and logistically behind the scenes. Also, reconsider your "incapability" to help. Assuredly, if the Anti-Semites were lining up Jews and attacking them physically as frequently as Jews are disappearing spiritually through ignorance and assimilation we'd find a way to fight the Anti-Semites. As the well-written article by Mr. Freund clarifies the Jewish People are far more threatened by ignorance than by physical anti-semites.

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!